Analysis: Hopes for thaw in US-Iran relations as leaders cross paths at U.N.

By Carol J. WilliamsLos Angeles Times

September 22, 2013 12:01 AM

By Carol J. WilliamsLos Angeles Times

September 22, 2013 12:01 AM

After 34 years of hostility between the United States and Iran, President Barack Obama and his newly inaugurated Iranian counterpart, Hasan Rouhani, are poised to cross paths this week and possibly signal a mutual desire to defrost their countries' troubled relations.

Iranians and Americans will be eagerly following the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, when Obama and Rouhani address the annual gathering of world leaders. They will be watching for a simple exchange of pleasantries between the leaders -- a smile from Rouhani or a handshake from Obama, making good on his campaign promise to America's enemies that "we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."

Rouhani has been making significant unclenching gestures in recent weeks, which political analysts see as reflecting new willingness to resolve an international standoff over Iran's nuclear programs and the withering economic sanctions they have brought down on his country.

In the short time since his August inauguration, Rouhani has proclaimed Iran's commitment to "transparency," alluding to stalled negotiations over U.N. inspectors' access to Iranian nuclear facilities.

He has kept a quiet distance from neighboring Syria and the brutal civil war being waged between rebels and President Bashar Assad, a traditional Iranian ally.

Iran released at least a dozen political prisoners last week, the same day that Rouhani said in an interview with NBC News that Iran has "never pursued or sought a nuclear bomb, and we are not going to do so."

The overtures from Rouhani, and key indications from supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that he supports them, have Iran analysts on the lookout for an answering gesture from the White House.

"Rouhani is clearly coming to New York with the authority to pursue dialogue with the United States on the nuclear issue and probably even Syria," said Suzanne DiMaggio, vice president for global policy programs at the Asia Society. "One reason why the Obama administration is taking this outreach so seriously is that they believe the supreme leader has authorized it."